PREMIER Denis Napthine has not denied the fate of maverick MP Geoff Shaw was raised in breakfast conversations with the Governor of Victoria.

Dr Napthine said it was inappropriate to reveal the contents of their conversations, and refused to be drawn on exactly what, if any, plans or issues were discussed.

However, he has spent the day reassuring the electorate that Mr Shaw’s “crimes” will be met with the appropriate punishment.

Dr Napthine also used a press conference to tell media about one of the topics raised - the Governor’s plans for a bio-technology trade mission, which the Premier said could be good news for the Victorian economy.

As the fate of Mr Shaw remains in limbo, former premier Jeff Kennett has been among those questioning whether there are sufficient grounds for Mr Shaw to be expelled.

But Dr Napthine said that, despite Mr Kennett’s experience, he preferred to seek advice from legal and constitutional experts.

His belief that legal advice must be sought before a decision about the balance-of-power MP’s punishment has drawn fire from opposition leader Daniel Andrews.

But Dr Napthine dismissed suggestions he was taking a weak approach and urged the opposition not to play politics.

He referred to the constitutional crisis of 1975 to warn the Labor Party against blocking the Budget in order to bring on an early election.

“I don’t think that blocking supply should be on the agenda of a political party,” Dr Napthine said.

It emerged that both major parties had united to look at ways to suspend or expel him from Parliament, ending the political sideshow.

But the timing and mechanism around dumping the rogue MP is uncertain, given it would be an almost unprecedented manoeuvre.

A senior Liberal source said there were fears any bid to oust Mr Shaw could collapse if not done carefully, pointing to when criminal charges against Mr Shaw were spectacularly withdrawn by prosecutors last year.

While the State Government’s headaches continue, Dr Napthine and Governor, Alex Chernov, met for breakfast this morning but Dr Napthine said it was nothing out of the ordinary.

It remains unknown whether the Governor is supportive of proposals to expel or suspend Mr Shaw and whether state leaders are confident whichever punishment is handed down will end the Government’s woes.

“In line with long-standing tradition it’s not appropriate for the Premier to disclose his discussions with the Governor,” Dr Napthine said.

Premier Napthine strengthened his language against Mr Shaw saying he needed to be held to account for his actions.

“We are getting appropriate constitutional and legal advice to make sure that Geoff Shaw is held fully accountable for his actions and (that) any decision of the Parliament actually sticks and is implemented, and is not challenged in the High Court,” Dr Napthine said.

“We need to make sure that Geoff Shaw is held fully accountable for his wrongful actions. He must be made to pay the price, and we will ensure he pays the price.”

Dr Napthine would not say whether a suspension or expulsion from Parliament was appropriate, saying that was a decision for the Parliament.

Mr Shaw did not face the media yesterday, instead sending out an adviser who told a waiting press pack the rogue independent MP would not be making a comment.

The Opposition Leader said that if Mr Shaw were expelled, a by-election in the seat of Frankston was very important, as the electorate’s voters were entitled to a voice in the State Parliament.

He said the parliamentary clerks had advised him that a Frankston by-election could be held on July 12 or 19, at the earliest.

For the Opposition to attempt to force the vote on whether Mr Shaw was in contempt of the Parliament, it would need to have the Government bring forward a debate on the Legislative Assembly’s Privileges Committee report on Mr Shaw’s conduct.

It is unclear if that would occur on Tuesday, given that the Government wants to concentrate on passing its Budget first.

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LABOR MPs MEET ON CRISIS

VICTORIAN Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews has called an urgent caucus meeting for this morning to explain to his Labor backbenchers his dramatic approach to the Geoff Shaw crisis.

It follows an attempt by the Labor Party to gag its MPs and candidates on social media on the night Mr Andrews called for Governor Alex Chernov to intervene in the dispute over the Frankston independent.

Some Labor MPs have questioned the Labor leader’s tactics, including his trying to embroil the Governor.

Others are annoyed that Mr Andrews has not focused more on the Liberal Party’s original endorsement of Mr Shaw to stand as an MP, thereby leaving the responsibility for the rogue MP’s future to his former political masters.

It is understood shadow Cabinet has endorsed Mr Andrews’ broad strategy, which will be outlined to the Labor backbenchers today.

A senior Labor source said the meeting had been called early to provide an explanation to MPs. It was necessary that it be held this week because of a public holiday next Monday.

The source said that it was natural for there to be a mixture of views about a controversial issue.

On Tuesday night, Labor tried to gag MPs and candidates from commenting on the state’s political drama on social media.

Premier Denis Napthine had said he would not be held to ransom by Mr Shaw, after which Mr Andrews declared he said he would seek a meeting with the Premier.

A directive from Mr Andrews’s office urged Labor MPs to “refrain from any further comment on tonight’s events until further notice - particularly on social media”.

Another directive from Labor headquarters urged candidates to hold their tongues.

“Candidates should make no public comment about this issue, including on social media, without prior authorisation from Head Office,” the directive said.

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